Attention test

Spend a minute watching this auto commercial for the new SKODA Fabia; your time won’t be wasted.



Interesting, isn’t it? It may only be a commercial but it provides a perfect example of what we’re up against on the roads. If that driver coming up to the intersection is so focused on watching the light to make sure he gets through on the green, or is concentrating on whether she has room to turn in front of the truck that’s right behind you, you simply will not register on their conscience.

I’ve blogged about this before (here and here) but it’s a message that deserves repeating again, and again, and again.

Don’t misunderstand, I’m not excusing anyone’s inattentiveness and bad driving, but being forewarned is, as they say, forearmed. Knowing how we all ‘see’ the world around us under certain conditions might some day save your life.

Something to think about as we slowly emerge from our winter cocoons to start a new riding season.

I’m conflicted

Short story:  Young woman stops her car in the passing lane of a major highway to help some ducks trying to cross the road. Motorcyclist crashes into the back of her car killing both the rider and passenger. Woman gets 90 days jail time and a 10 year driving ban. [Link]

IDIOT CAGER + DEAD MOTORCYCLISTS (should) = LETHAL INJECTION TIME!

Right?

That was certainly my first thought, that she got away with murder, and I think many motorcyclists would react the same way. But then I dug into it a bit more and found, as with most things, there was more to the story.

Longer story: Young woman stops her car in the passing lane of a major highway to help some ducks trying to cross the road. A camper trailer also in the passing lane swerves at the last minute to avoid the car. A motorcyclist following the camper trailer, driving (it is estimated) between 25 and 40 kilometres per hour over the posted speed limit of 90 kph, doesn’t react in time and crashes into the back of the car killing both the rider and passenger.

So is it still lethal injection time? Some will call me out for blaming the victim, but I can’t help but think about how this was such an avoidable accident.

First, there are many reasons a vehicle might be stopped in any lane of a highway – accident, breakdown, and, yes, stupidity. But the responsibility is with all drivers to be aware of that possibility and drive in such a manner that control can be maintained at all times, even when faced with the unexpected – especially when faced with the unexpected.

Second, it would appear from published reports that the rider was following the camper so closely that he had no, or limited, visibility of the road ahead. When the camper swerved suddenly to avoid the stopped vehicle (which could equally have been a large pothole or debris on the road) he was caught by surprise and had neither the time, nor possibly the training, to react appropriately.

Finally, I have seen no reports of how much other traffic there was on the highway at the time, but excessive speed, and travelling at a speed significantly higher than the traffic around you, always comes at a huge risk – a risk that rests solely with the driver.

Let there be no doubt this woman did something blazingly stupid and negligent. Two people are dead and lives will never be the same, including hers, and she needs to accept responsibility and be punished for that.

But I’m conflicted. I think some jail time is appropriate but, frankly, a long jail term as has been called for by some won’t fix stupid. However, a 10 year driving ban will at least keep her off the road, making it a wee bit safer for all of us no matter how many wheels we are on. So put away the syringe, I think the judge may have got this one right.

Mickey to the rescue

Back in June I acquired a new-to-me tractor. Since then it has done yeoman’s service in helping clear felled trees, repairing driveways, and generally moving heavy stuff about. But it hadn’t yet been put to its primary intended role which was for winter snow removal.

That changed last night when the first major storm of the year dumped upwards of 30 cm (12”) of the heavy white stuff, with lots of drifting, on our road and laneway. And I’m pleased to report that Mickey was well up to the task. In about 45 minutes I had cleared 1/2 kilometre of road plus both our and our neighbour’s driveways. And I had some fun doing it!



Why Mickey? I’m not entirely sure why people name their vehicles but when they do there’s usually some connection to a person – alive or dead – who shares the name. I wasn’t going to call it anything until I saw this recent image of Mickey Rourke and it immediately reminded me of my tractor.

   

Now you have to admit there is an uncanny resemblance. So Mickey it is.

I’m still here – honest!

I just realised the entire month of November has come and gone without a single posting. While I may not be the most prolific of posters I do try and get something up here on a semi-regular basis. In fact, not since May 2008 have I missed posting for an entire month.

So what happened? Who knows? It’s easy enough to lay the responsibility for my lack of loquaciousness on the dreaded “writer’s block” but I'm not so sure that’s entirely fair. No, it just seems that I was incredibly busy last month and posting took a back seat to everything else that was going on – which, in hindsight, really wasn't very much at all. Sure, I went for a week’s golfing trip to Fort Lauderdale (hot and sunny – thank you!). And I was down with a cold for a few days. And… Okay, now I'm rationalizing. Suffice it to say dear readers (both of you) that I will endeavour to be more forthcoming with witty and brilliant content as 2014 drags inexorably to its eventual demise, to be replaced by a new year containing lots of good two-wheeled material.

In the meantime I will leave you with this, my contribution to Christmas decorations in the family abode.  It has blinking lights and plays a tinny Xmas song, but for totally unjustifiable reasons I wasn't allowed to put the batteries in. No wonder I'm having trouble trying to summon up the Christmas spirit; there’s a Grinch in the house.

“I have too much money.”

That must have been the thought of the person (who shall remain anonymous) who just spent $1.35 MILLION to own this bike:



I know, I know, collectors will pay insane amounts for one-offs or vehicles with well documented histories, but this bike is different.

First of all it’s not the only copy floating around that purports to be THE bike that Fonda rode in Easy Rider. Rumours abound but apparently 2 were built for the movie. One was crashed at the end of the film and the other was stolen, along with both Dennis Hopper bikes – or so the story goes. This particular unit that was just sold is supposed to be the crashed bike, restored by Dan Haggerty of Grizzly Adams fame. But then so is a second bike, owned by Texan Gordon Granger and also authenticated by Haggerty. Clearly one is a replica, but which one?

Even Fonda doesn't know what’s going on, being quoted as saying "There's a big rat stinking someplace in this."

So, $1.35 million for a bike with dubious credentials. Good deal or insanity?

I know which term I’d use (even if I had a ridiculous amount of money to throw away on toys – sorry, investments).